Let the Games Begin!

Seneca Free Library is Starting a Games Initiative

…but we need your help!

We are starting a table games initiative for library game day events and regular in-house use (sorry, no checkouts from the library), but we need some help in building our game library. Right now we’re especially short on games for younger kids. With the program just starting, we hate to sink a lot of money into acquisitions and storage for something that might not see a lot of use right away. If you have a chance to look through your board and card games at home and find some gently used options that just don’t make it out of the box anymore (or ever), we’d love to see them here! If you have some common games (or what’s left of them) that are missing pieces and ready to be replaced, we could always use some spare parts on hand in case a die rolls away or Professor Plum’s token bounces off the table and disappears into the stacks. (Don’t even get us started on the Monopoly Dog chasing the car or the havoc of the Candyland Gingies. Oh, the humanity!)

Ideal games for library use are ones that don’t require a large amount of setup and that can be learned and taught to the other players in five minutes or less. Games that require batteries to operate are less ideal (due to ongoing cost) but will be considered. Games that make a mess (i.e. Pie Face) or pose sanitary concerns (i.e. Speak Out) are not appropriate for library use, as entertaining as they might be at home.

Our Current Inventory Includes:

(Updated 11/18/2024)

  • 5 Second Rule (Standard Ed., 3 or more players, Ages 10+) (x2 copies)
  • Animal Dominos (Kids Ed. 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Apples to Apples (Standard Ed., 4-8 players, Ages 12+)
  • Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Battleship (Standard Ed., 2-player, Ages 7+)
  • Bunco Party (Standard Ed. 2-12 players, Ages 8+)
  • Candy Land (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Chess/Checkers (Standard Ed., 2-player, Ages 5+)
  • Clue (Original Ed., 3-6 players, Ages 8+)
  • Clue (Card Game Ed, 3-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Connect 4 (Classic Grid Ed., 2 Players, 6+)
  • Count Your Chickens! (Standard Ed., 2-4 players [cooperative play], Ages 3+)
  • Dominoes (Double Six Color Dot Set, 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Dominoes (Classic Black Wood Set, 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Family Feud (Platinum Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Guess Who (Original Ed., 2 players, Ages 6+)
  • Heads Up! (Standard card-based version, 2-6 players, Ages 8+)
  • Life (50th Anni Ed, 2-3* players, Ages 9+)* 3 car tokens missing
  • Mancala (Basic Ed., 2 players, Ages 6+)
  • Memory (Original Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Monopoly (Standard Ed., 2-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Mousetrap (Standard Ed, 2-4 players, Ages 6+)
  • National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run Set
  • Nick at Nite Classic TV Trivia (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Outburst (Standard Ed., 2+ players, Age Adult)
  • Playing Cards (Standard Deck, age and players vary by game played)
  • Quiddler (Standard Ed., 1-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Seneca-opoly (Local Ed., 2-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Scrabble (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Skribble (Standard Ed., Ages 8+)
  • Suspend (Melissa & Doug Ed., 1-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament Poker Set (2-10 players, Ages 8+)
  • Trouble (Original Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 5+)
  • Uno Dominoes (Standard Ed., 2-6 players, Ages 7+)
  • VisualEyes (Standard Ed., 2-8 [or more] players, Ages 8+)
  • War (Game specific card set for War and Memory, 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Yahtzee (Standard Ed., 2-10 players, Ages 8+)
Gerald and Tess ask Sherri and Nelson for Recommendations
“So many options!”

Games We Are Currently Looking For Include:

  • Chutes and Ladders (or Snakes and Ladders)
  • Hi-Ho Cherry Oh
  • Jr. Editions of most games
  • Memory (We have the Original edition, but would consider variant theme editions)
  • Settlers of Catan
  • Sorry
  • Uno

Guidelines for Using Library Games

Games and game pieces are not available for checkout. They are meant to be played inside the library (or meeting room for special events).

You are responsible for any game that you sign for and borrow. Lost pieces or damage to the game board or cards may result in fees necessary to fix or replace game components.

Games must be checked out and signed for one at a time. The first game must be turned in at the desk and all pieces must be accounted for before checking out another game. The number of games borrowed on a daily basis is otherwise only limited by the constraints of library operating hours.

All games must be completed and turned in before the end of regular library hours or before the end of a gaming event. The library will not stay open late just for games to be completed.

Library staff are not responsible for teaching, moderating, or providing players for a game. Be sure to borrow games appropriate for your number of players and the players’ ages and ability to learn or comprehend the rules. If the standard rules for a game are missing for some reason, let the librarian on duty know and we’ll see what we can do about finding and printing an official copy.

Many common board and card games may have what are called “House Rules.” These are rules that modify how the original game works usually for the sake of simplification or increasing the challenge of a game. Before your group begins playing any game, be sure everyone is aware of and in agreement with any “House Rules” that may be used. Again, it is not the librarian’s job to handle or moderate rules disputes or disagreements in your game.

Games played in the main library are expected to be aware of and courteous to the other patrons using the library and the staff trying to work. Repeated outbursts or continuous disruption may result in the termination of your gaming session.

Most of all, Have FUN!